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These biscuit mix cheesy sausage balls are a holiday staple as an appetizer and grace many a table for holiday breakfasts! Only three ingredients are needed to have a delicious snack or side dish. Can you tell that I have a box of Bisquick® to use up? These Bisquick® Sausage Balls are a classic recipe and are so easy and delicious to make! If you are looking for another recipe, try my Bisquick® Quiche Recipe; it’s another classic!
Quick & Easy Sausage Balls Recipe
OK, I’m not grown up at all. I keep snickering over the name of this recipe, I admit. I have the mind of a 14-year-old boy – my son is probably more mature than I am, let’s face it. That said, while I may snort over the name of this recipe, sausage balls are delicious.
After that last sentence, I give up. I can’t even write seriously about this recipe. Mike and I spent the whole day making dirty jokes while I was making these sausage balls.That’s what happens when you are stuck together working as a team; you feed off each other, even when it means you’re acting immature.
Let’s get serious about those sausage balls now.
This is a classic Bisquick® recipe that is extremely popular around the holidays. With the holidays coming up, I thought it was high time I gave these a try, not to mention I have a box of Bisquick® that I was supposed to take out to the trailer at the lake – and I need to use it up before it goes stale. We totally were screwed out of a decent August here in Alberta, between the fires in BC smoking up the air Calgary and Edmonton and the weather generally being weirdly hot and cold, we made it out to the lake ONCE – and we stayed inside the trailer the entire time. It was so smoky we couldn’t see the lake.
This is also my backyard on September 13th. I am NOT making this up, my friends. I feel totally ripped off this summer between the smoke and the snow (it’s actually still summer until September 22nd).
I live where it snows in the summer. I swear I’m moving to Vancouver Island. I can’t take this anymore.
I went on to the baking that I did when it was snowing in summer. These sausage balls are the kind of food that one should start baking in the winter: rich, decadent, comforting, carb-loaded goodness. The recipe makes a perfect 24 golf ball-sized sausage balls, and they will fit on a large baking sheet together perfectly, as you can see below. I like a good recipe that a) uses only one bowl and b) fits onto one baking sheet. That’s my kinda recipe!
What kind of pork sausage do I use?
You are going to need raw, ground pork sausage for the traditional sausage balls recipe; however, the sky is really the limit. You can use a mild Italian sausage, a maple syrup-sweet breakfast sausage, or even a hot spiced sausage. The only caveat is that it HAS to be a ground sausage. It cannot be a cooked smoked sausage.
My kitchen hack?
Use your stand mixer with the paddle attachment.
Using your mixer to make these sausage balls made this recipe SO EASY that I can see it being doubled and you having four dozen sausage ball snacks in no time at all! I also think it does a better job of working the ingredients together than mixing them by hand would. You then simply get a tablespoon and get your golf ball-sized dough balls ready to rock!
The other secret to these is not dropping them onto the sheet; you can roll them into nice uniform balls. I don’t guarantee that they will stay that shape, as the pork fat and cheese fat will melt and change the shape of these, but mine came out pretty darn uniform.
Karlynn’s Tips & Tricks for Making Sausage Balls
- Don’t use bagged shredded cheese in these. You need the moisture that comes with freshly shredded block cheese. The cheese shreds in the bag are dry and you will end up with a dry product.
- You can definitely change up the type of cheese to whatever flavor you prefer, but a sharp old cheddar is delicious!
- If the batter seems dry, add in a 1/4 cup of milk.
- If your sausage isn’t that greasy, you might also have to add milk.
- Here in Canada, we don’t usually get the 1lb packs of spiced ground pork sausage (if we do, please let me know where I have been looking!), and I simply took breakfast sausages out of their casings and used that instead. That seemed to be a little dryer than it should be, so I added in 2 tbsp of milk to help. I would add in the 1/4 cup next time for sure.
- Add in some spices like cayenne if you want – I LOVED mine with the chives! I would use fresh minced green onion in my next batch for sure.These are easy to customize.
And that dip? It’s my new Creamy Sweet Chili Sauce and it is my new favorite dip! You can literally use that on anything, chicken wings, salad, veggies and more. It was awesome with these sausage balls!
If you want a good side to go with this recipe, why not try my favourite, excellent Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Smokies?
Stay tuned for more Bisquick® recipes in the next week or two, I still have a ton left that I need to use up! And that’s before the one at the trailer comes home this weekend, since we have to pack up the trailer at the lake way early this year. Sigh. Maybe we will get an early nice spring?
Happy Baking!
Love,
Karlynn
Sausage Balls Recipe (Classic Bisquick Sausage Balls)
- Prep Time
- 5 minutes
- Cook Time
- 20 minutes
- Total Time
- 25 minutes
- Course
- Appetizer
- Cuisine
- American
- Servings
- 24 sausage balls
- Calories
- 176
- Author
- Karlynn Johnston
Ingredients
- 1 pound sharp Cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 pound ground pork sausage
- 2 cups biscuit baking mix (Bisquick)
- 1 tablespoon freeze dried chives ( optional)
- 1/4 cup milk (if needed)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 °F.
- In a large bowl (or in your standing mixer bowl), combine the ground sausage, biscuit baking mix and shredded cheese and chives.
- Form into 24 golf ball sized balls and place on baking sheets.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown and the sausage is cooked through entirely.
- Remove and serve hot!
Recipe Video
Nutrition Information
All calories and info are based on a third party calculator and are only an estimate. Actual nutritional info will vary with brands used, your measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
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bruce says
Adding milk was clever, but i use butter …prefer it to be softened, but saw what jennifer garner did by grating the cold butter, it does the same thing….more the merrier…i even butter the crap out of my cookie sheet before baking…
all that snow ?….that’s why i left Regina Saskatchewan for Louisiana …see snow maybe…..once a decade….hahahha..FINE BY ME ….
keep cookin lady ..!!!
Jillian says
My mom made these the last time I visited her and they were so good I had to come and comment. Totally making her make them for Christmas, I mean I could make them … but Mom does everything better.
Deane says
Love this comfort food. Makes a great quick grab and go breakfast….OR …late night snack. Used shredded cheese in my last batch (wanted to use up the extra cheese in the fridge). Couldn’t figure out why they came out so dry and spongy. Never again. Thanks for the hint!
Jean Brooks says
I just make my own sausage meat. Instead of taking sausage out of the casings.
Linda says
Mine turned out very greasy. I am not sure I can them. What did I do wrong?
BDG's Kitchen says
I used the same Basic Recipe, but i Added in Diced White Onion, Diced Jalepinos, And My Kitchen Aid Mixer, Worked wonders, Made mine about Duck egg size
Ill use Gloves Next time.
I need to add in more Earthy Hearty Flavors, and Spice it up Alot!!!! Using Ghost Peppers, Seeing how im the only one that eats the sausage balls
But i will use Yalls Idea on My Regular Meat balls that every one else will eat
Thank yall Soo Much,
Im Down in Deep East Texas
Jay says
For awhile now we’ve been using the red lobster cheddar bay biscuit mix and seasoning packet that comes with it, in place of regular flour. Ridiculously good!!
Sarah says
GAME CHANGER!!!! Doing this!!
Bonnie Loomis says
Been making sausage balls for years and it’s always been hit or miss as I never can locate the recipe and I’m flying by the seat of my pants as far as proportions. Tonight I needed to make some to take to a friend’s house and hit or miss wasn’t going to work for me so I looked up the recipe and found this one. They turned out great because of two hints that I had never been aware of: 1) shred your own block of cheese and do not use the packaged shredded cheese. The block cheese has more moisture than the packaged cheese and, 2) use a mixer. Sounds like a no-brainer but I had always mixed the sausage, cheese, and Bisquick by hand which resulted in the hit-or-miss sausage balls in addition to making it so much more difficult. The end result this evening was perfect sausage balls that I can confidently take to my friend’s house for serving.
Karlynn Johnston says
Bonnie, I am SO glad to hear this! Happy Easter!
StLindaHouz says
5-Star rating due to the overwhelming anticipation of eating these!
Using my favorite local Italian sausage, Italian cheeses and Cheese Garlic biscuit mix.
Will report back with the results…I can’t wait!!
Brenda Davidson says
Finalyfound the recipe Ideas wanting.Thank you.
Kay says
As I am from the south, I used buttermilk instead of milk. Fantastic! Never added any liquids to sausage balls before reading this recipe, definitely an improvement.
Denise Flournoy says
Perfect, easy, and deliciious just follow the recipe. I did not add or change a thing. Just mixed by hand and they do freeze well.
Brenda says
Try them with green chilis or finally chopped sweet peppers.
David Skelton says
LOVE these!!! My mom used to make these only at Christmas time, and now I’m making them every 2 weeks!!
Molly says
What dip(s) do you serve these with? Can’t wait to try them!!
Kay says
Try white country pepper gravy, or a half mustard-half Mayo.
Thelma says
LOL
GT says
I may have finally found the excuse I have been needing to justify buying that Kitchen Aide mixer i have been wanting! I love these but cannot say the thought of hand mixing them excites me… LOL
Brenda says
Use disposable gloves. Cleanup is much easier.
Kay says
Brenda, that’s exactly what I do. I have a stand mixer, but use disposable gloves. A lot easier.
Charlotte Fordham says
You definitely should not wait on that KitchenAid! I waited for 15 long years and I now cry thinking about the many hours I wasted! Baking is only ONE of the many cool things I use mine for. I have the grater attachments….I make carrot cakes and grate carrots, endlessly grate huge amounts of cheese for my famous Pimento Cheese, grate veggies to sneak them in my dog’s food. etc. I have the pasta maker attachment and have made delicious pasta many times over. I have also used the grinder attachment to make raw dog food and create my own bulk sausage out of bison! I love “Old Red” my red KitchenAid. Every time I take the old girl out. I ask myself why I never treated myself to one sooner! Luckily, my best friend got tired of hearing about me wanting one and gave it to me as a gift……I think she was banking on me sharing everything I used the mixer to make! lol As Nike says, JUST DO IT!!! You will not regret it!
Eddie says
I have them in the oven right now,they are smelling so yummy🌺
Sam says
I made these today. When i had gone to the store, I thought they needed 8oz of cheese, but realized it was a pound. I was making two batches at once. I used pepper jack for one pound, mild cheddar for 8 oz and mozzarella for the other 8 oz. I also threw in 4 oz of goat cheese that kind of tasted like feta. They were really good. The last time I made them, I tried different cheeses. One with sharp cheddar, one with Pepper Jack, and one with cream cheese also. My family chose the pepper jack unanimously. (I am the only one who eats pepper jack around here by the way.) They were all surprised that they chose that one, but they did.
Sherry says
Great ideas…I am baking some now with different cheeses.
C.H. says
This, by far, is the easiest, best tasting sausage ball recipe I’ve ever had. So simple. I did add the milk which I think makes the difference in how moist they are and how moist they stay! Thanks for sharing…looking forward to trying these with a variety of spices.
Sue says
These look super, I will be trying them for our family zoom Christmas Eve “party”
We sure do have raw, sausage meat available here in Alberta, Maple Leaf Natural Sausage Meat is available in the meat freezer at Sobeys, Save On, Superstore, Co Op…. It is breakfast sausage without the casings. It is packed in a plastic tube. A staple in my kitchen.
Charlotte E. Fordham says
I just love these classic little balls of delight! (now I am snickering!) My mother used opt make these over the holidays and they bring back such great memories. I even love them cold! Appreciate you sharing!
Claire says
These sound so yummy, I’ll have to try them!
As for the sausage, if I plan ahead I go to the Farmer’s Market and pick up some flavoured ground meat there. Little pricey, but delicious.. Otherwise I’ve started taking the DIY approach. 1 lb of ground pork, sausage seasonings (lots of recipes out there, mine is usually a generous amount of poultry seasoning, salt, pepper and some fennel, maybe more sage if you like that). Use anywhere you’d use sausage meat. I’ve also done this with ground chicken/turkey for a lighter option. I might try to make it with that!
Katherine says
These are great! And adding chopped green onion made these super-great.
S. Weber says
Only used half pound of shredded cheese and had no issues. I live in Canada and had no issues finding ground sausage tubes in the freezer section of my grocer. Had to add a couple sausages minus casings to add up to a pound of meat. Flavoured with onion salt and the chives and these are so amazing. Will make every year now for Christmas
Jordan says
Very good! I’ve tried several different recipes and this is the best!!
Sandy Rosenberg says
These are delicious! Any tips on how to keep the shape?
Bree says
Put your mix in the fridge for about 30 min before forming balls – fats from sausage and cheese will harden, making the shape easier to keep. Work fast and with a melon baller (or some such kitchen tool, place on cookie tray that has been lined with parchment paper – get it in the pre-heated oven quick. The outside will cook quickly and hold the shape.
Sheri says
When mine go flat, friends call them sausage cookies. Not a bad name!
Kelley Horner says
How does it freeze? Would I be able to freeze the dough prior to cooking it
Lucia Skelly says
Can the sausage balls be frozen then fried once thawed?
Mr. Kitchen Magpie says
Yes for sure.
Steve Smith says
Made it with homemade venison/pork sausage. Added a touch extra milk. Just two of us so I divided and froze about 1.5 lbs. Delicious. Going to try a couple different dipping sauces next time.
bree says
Alt recipe calls for cream cheese for moisture. Might try it with a 1/4 c cream cheese instead of milk.
Michelle says
Can you make these a day ahead?
Karlynn says
They are best made the day you eat them, texture and moisture-wise!
sherry says
I made mine the night before with bagged cheese and they were great
timothy says
if you can’t find “hot sausage” you can always try looking on amazon
Jeanne Thompson says
OMG! That tip about using the mixer is a game changer! Thanks!
Kathy says
I use sweet Italian sausage when I make mine
JoJo says
I’ve made these several times since last thanksgiving and they are always a hit! I add hot sausage, and the green onions so delicious
Serve with sausage gravy
Very welcome each time and everyone’s request
C. says
I cooked my sausage and microwave the cheese. I add cooked sausage and melted cheese to dry mix. They keep the ball shape. It can be frozen after baking.